Cultivating STEM futures: An evaluation of the WiSTEM²D program's impact on female STEM students

Tracey O'Connell, Regina Kelly
University of Limerick, Ireland
Merrilyn Goos
University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia

Addressing the STEM gender gap has been a long-standing priority in Ireland and internationally. This study presents an evaluation of an industry-partnered WiSTEM²D program in higher education, exploring how mentorship, site visits, networking, and team projects influence female participation, confidence, career knowledge, and STEM role model aspirations. In this paper, we used Bronfenbrenner's (1992) ccological systems theory to explore the impact, if any, on students participating in the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM²D program (Johnson & Johnson, n.d.). The paper presents data from 41 students through four phases of data collection, collected at both short- and long-term intervals. In the short-term, focus groups (N = 13) and pre- and post-surveys (N = 30) were conducted with participants. In the long-term, telephone interviews were conducted with participants who had previously completed the program. Findings revealed two key challenges for STEM students: low confidence and limited awareness of STEM career opportunities. Participants also indicated a desire to be a role model and promote STEM. Based on the findings, higher education institutions should consider industry partnerships to support female students in STEM.
[ PDF full text for this article ]

Authors: Ms Tracey O'Connell is the National Coordinator of the Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematics Teaching (PDMT) program in the EPI*STEM Centre, School of Education, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Her research interests are in the areas of STEM education and gender inclusivity in STEM education. Email: tracey.oconnell@ul.ie Dr Regina Kelly is an Associate Professor in Science Education in the School of Education, University of Limerick, Ireland. She is an EPI*STEM Affiliate and her research interests focus on science education, preservice science teacher education, inclusive STEM education, and teaching and learning in higher education. Email: regina.kelly@ul.ie Dr Merrilyn Goos is an Adjunct Professor and former Director of EPI*STEM at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Her research has focused on students' mathematical thinking, mathematics teacher education, numeracy across the curriculum and across the lifespan, the role of mathematics in integrated STEM education, and gender equity in STEM education. Prior to retirement she was affiliated with University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2936-9907 Email: mgoos@usc.edu.au Please cite as: O'Connell, T., Kelly, R. & Goos, M. (2026). Cultivating STEM futures: An evaluation of the WiSTEM2D program's impact on female STEM students. Issues in Educational Research, 36(1), 242-266. http://www.iier.org.au/iier36/oconnell.pdf